BUDAPEST: The foundation run by US-Hungarian billionaire George Soros said Tuesday it was closing its operations in Hungary and relocating to Germany in response to the "repressive" policies of Viktor Orban's government. The 54-year-old premier, reelected for a third consecutive term last month, has long accused Soros of orchestrating immigration into Europe. Earlier this year, citing national security concerns, his government announced a so-called "Stop Soros" package of laws aimed at tightening rules for NGOs receiving funding from abroad. OSF said more than 100 OSF staff in Budapest would be affected by the move to Berlin, around 60 percent of whom are Hungarian nationals. Soros launched his first foundation in Hungary in 1984, using it to promote freedom of expression during the last years of Communism, the OSF said.

Source: Bangkok Post May 15, 2018 07:52 UTC